E. I. du Pont de Nemours & Company, based in Wilmington, Del., and the nation's largest chemical company, said earnings rose to $1 billion, or $1.78 a share, from $938 million, or $1.70 a share, a year earlier, beating the average estimate of 13 analysts surveyed by IBES International Inc.

The president and chief executive of Du Pont, John A. Krol, said he expected stronger demand for the company's products the second half.

In the latest period, Du Pont increased reserves for crop damage claims and litigation costs related to its Benlate fungicide.